Events for entrepreneurs and startups in the Capital Region.
Join RPI’s top innovators as they compete for $50,000 in prizes at the Catalyst Incubator Showcase.
The public is welcome to the Spring 2025 cohort pitch event. Food, beverages and awards following the pitches.
Whether you're fresh off the Upstate Capital Business Plan Competition or just looking for a low-key way to connect with founders, investors, and industry folks—this is the spot.
No RSVP required — just come by!
Note: Everyone covers their own tab.
Join us for an insightful session with Mario Fallone, Partner at Akerman LLP, as he breaks down what venture capitalists seek in an investment. This presentation will cover key investment criteria such as market opportunity, team strength, scalability, and exit strategies. You’ll also gain a clear understanding of VC term sheets, how to evaluate offers, and the importance of choosing the right investor.
Featuring real-world case studies and a live Q&A, this 60-minute session is designed to equip you with the knowledge to navigate the fundraising process with confidence.
Attention Innovators and Dreamers:
What if we told you pigs could fly? The Flying Pig Society was created to inspire innovation. Our mission is to foster a mindset and community of skilled innovators and entrepreneurs. If you want to learn the skills necessary to innovate solutions to problems worth solving, come fly with us!
Are you interested in starting a company but don’t know how to finance it? Join us for this very special workshop April 16th at 4:30 pm. Our speakers, Heidi Knoblauch and Zack Pecenak will introduce different mechanisms for funding a new venture and talk about strategies for each. As a bonus, they will talk about special funding opportunities for startups in the Capital Region of New York.
Please join us in the RPI Heffner Alumni House in Troy. Free parking on Peoples Avenue or in the lot behind the Alumni House. Food and drinks will be served. RSVP today.
Where pigs can fly, there are no boundaries. Unleash your inner innovator.
Wednesday April 16, 2025 @ 4:30 pm
RPI Heffner Alumni House
1301 Peoples Avenue, Troy, NY 12180
Food and drinks served.
🚀 Boost Your Business with UAlbany Talent
Are you a startup or small business in the Capital Region looking for fresh talent and new perspectives? Join us virtually on April 9th to learn about the SPEED program (SUNY Program for Experiential and Entrepreneurial Development).
Through SPEED, you can bring on skilled student interns from UAlbany for remote, in-person, or hybrid positions. Students come from a wide range of academic backgrounds including business, marketing, computer science, engineering, economics, education, and more.
Internships can be paid, unpaid, or stipend-based, and each student is career-prepped before they begin. It's a win-win: you gain valuable help while supporting the next generation of professionals.
You’ll also hear from two company founders who have successfully hired through SPEED.
🗓️ Event Date: April 9, 2025
📍 Location: Online (Zoom link upon registration)
🔗 https://bit.ly/ualbany-speed
Brought you by the UAlbany Innovation Center, with support from Innovate 518
Are you an ambitious entrepreneur with a technology-driven startup? Looking for the perfect space to grow, connect, and collaborate?
The UAlbany Innovation Center invites you to our Open House to explore our cutting-edge business incubator, designed to help technology-based startups thrive in the Capital Region.
Tour our modern LEED-certified furnished workspaces and meeting rooms
Discover research and partnership opportunities at UAlbany
Learn about our startup support programs
Connect with mentors
Network with fellow tech entrepreneurs
Whether you're an early-stage startup or looking to scale, the Innovation Center provides the tools, community, and guidance you need to succeed.
Refreshments served. Ample free parking available in adjoining lot, and easily accessible via public transportation.
Startup Tech Valley is a meetup for the entrepreneurship community in the Capital Region. Attendees include entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, mentors, students, employees of startups, service providers to startups, and anyone else who wants to be involved or is curious.
What to Expect:
Connect + Engage. Start with networking and then get introduced to startups through pitch sessions.
No cost to attend, however RSVP is required.
Light refreshments will be provided. Cash bar available.
5:30pm Networking | 6:00 - 7:00pm Pitch Sessions
If you're interested in pitching, you can apply here.
If you're interested in sponsoring, you can reach out here.
Join Community Loan Fund for an engaging 50-minute workshop where you’ll discover how to create a cohesive digital presence that resonates with your audience. Learn practical strategies to harmonize your website, social media, and marketing efforts into a powerful business tool.
In the workshop you will learn:
– Website must-haves that turn visitors into loyal customers
– Search engine optimization tips and tricks to get yourself found on Google
– How to make your social media and website work together
– Content creation secrets to maximize your blog’s impact and reach
Perfect for business owners, entrepreneurs, and marketing enthusiasts who want to enhance their digital presence.
No technical expertise required – just bring your curiosity and readiness to learn!
What if we told you pigs could fly? The Flying Pig Society was created to inspire innovation. Their mission is to foster a mindset and community of skilled innovators and entrepreneurs. If you want to learn the skills necessary to innovate solutions to problems worth solving, come fly with FPS!
Have you thought about ditching the office job and starting your own company? Attend this Pig Tale (special seminar) on March 19th at 5:30 pm. Gabrielle Haddad will share her story of a career pivot that led to the start of an award-winning software company.
Join Community Loan Fund for an informative webinar where we’ll explore Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Marketing, a game-changer designed to empower small businesses. These features offer the flexibility and control you need to streamline your marketing efforts, optimize engagement, and drive significant growth.
Enhance Branding: Seamlessly manage and customize your brand identity with AI tools that make it easier than ever to maintain consistency across all your marketing efforts.
Simplify Content Creation: Utilize intuitive drag-and-drop tools and AI-driven features that simplify the process of crafting compelling communications.
Optimize Campaigns: Deliver personalized, localized communications at scale, ensuring every message resonates with your target audience.
Streamline Management: Efficiently organize and manage your marketing efforts with centralized oversight, boosting productivity and allowing you to focus on growth.
Gain Actionable Insights: Access comprehensive, easy-to-understand reports that empower you to make informed decisions and optimize your marketing strategies.
Who Should Attend?
This webinar is ideal for small business owners and marketers who want to leverage AI to boost their marketing effectiveness. Whether you’re new to AI or looking to expand your existing capabilities, you’ll gain valuable insights and practical strategies to take your marketing to the next level.
Presented by IRS Representative Jacqueline Kelly-Myers:
"Understanding Your Federal Taxes and Your Business"
If attending, please complete the Registration Link:
https://form.jotform.com/250506177918159
The presentation will emphasize and focus on small businesses and how they can efficiently organize and manage their Federal Income Taxes.
🚀 Smart Strategies: Using Market Insights & Data to Propel Your Startup 🔍
Join us for an exclusive free webinar where we dive into how startups can leverage free secondary research data to make smarter decisions, refine strategies, and gain a competitive edge!
🎤 Featuring: Tom Reynolds, Senior Business Advisor, SBDC – Expert in small business growth and market research
📅 Date: 2/26/25
⏰ Time: noon
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights from data gathered specifically for your business!
We will cover the free data request process, walk through a typical report, and share tips on how to use the data for lead creation, competitor analysis, market size analysis, industry trends, revenue forecasting, positioning strategy, etc.
Startup Tech Valley is a meetup for the entrepreneurship community in the Capital Region. Attendees include entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, mentors, students, employees of startups, service providers to startups, and anyone else who wants to be involved or is curious.
What to Expect:
Connect + Engage. Start with networking and then get introduced to startups through pitch sessions.
No cost to attend, however RSVP is required.
Light refreshments will be provided. Cash bar available.
5:30pm Networking | 6:00 - 7:00pm Pitch Sessions
What is Startup Tech Valley?
Meetup for first-time entrepreneurs, experienced entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, students, employees of startups, service providers to startups, and anyone else who wants to be involved or is curious.
What to Expect:
Connect + Engage. Start with networking and then get introduced to startups through informal pitch sessions.
No cost to attend, however RSVP is required.
Light refreshments will be provided. Cash bar available.
5:30pm Networking | 6:00 - 7:00pm Pitch Sessions
Unlike many university departments that focus on student lifecycles, the University at Albany’s Office of Economic Development prioritizes supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. By adopting Salesforce, this department has created a centralized system to track programs, client engagement, and economic impact metrics—helping tell the broader story of their contributions to regional and campus-wide growth.
In this webinar, we will cover:
How UAlbany’s Economic Development team tailored Salesforce to its unique needs outside the student lifecycle model.
The importance of fostering campus-wide buy-in for data sharing and collaboration across departments.
Using centralized data to tell a compelling story of economic growth, including metrics like funding raised, job creation, and program outcomes.
Lessons learned from working with Redpath to develop an efficient and scalable system.
This webinar is designed for higher education professionals managing innovation programs, economic development, or similar initiatives. Learn how to build cross-departmental support and use data to highlight the impact of your work.
Speaker Martin Dunbar and Alex Woods are analysts from KPMG who specialize in economic and valuation services. Want to learn how to determine the value of a company, a technology, a patent, or an idea? Come and listen to Marty and Alex.
November is a time for gratitude and reconnecting with family and/or friends. This month, we're skipping the formal pitches and hosting an extended happy hour, where the drinks are plentiful and the conversations flow just as freely!
Whether you’re an entrepreneur or just someone with a passion for innovation, this is the perfect chance to:
🍹 Unwind with refreshing beverages and delicious bites
🤝 Network with like-minded professionals and potential collaborators
See you there!
518 Founders Happy Hour is a great chance for the Capital District’s top innovators to come together, share ideas, and celebrate our wins.
November 14th, 2024
RenderTribe Office
468 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
5:00 to 7:00 PM
This event is all about connecting with fellow founders, investors, and industry experts in a fun and relaxed setting.
We meet regularly at different spots across the Capital District. No need to RSVP, but it’d be awesome if you could let us know you’re coming!
Let’s make the most of this opportunity to expand our networks and support each other.
Ready to connect with DARPA in an unprecedented way? In-person attendance for DARPA’s pop-up event in Albany is at full capacity – but you can still join virtually for an inspiring day that could shape your path with one of the world’s most innovative agencies. This event is designed to help you understand DARPA’s current focus areas, connect with decision-makers, and give you practical knowledge on how to engage with DARPA.
Date: Thursday, November 14th, 2024
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM ET
Register Here: https://events.bizzabo.com/darpa-connect-ny-pop-up
Ready to Dive In? Check Out The Agenda: https://events.bizzabo.com/darpa-connect-ny-pop-up/agenda
Explore the day’s sessions in advance and see which ones will be most valuable to your work and goals. From proposal crafting to real-time feedback sessions, this agenda is packed with insights tailored for industry leaders, researchers, and small business innovators.
What to Expect from the Virtual Event:
- Insights from Across DARPA
Virtually experience our full-day agenda featuring DARPA program managers across the agency’s technical offices, each leading groundbreaking work in their fields. This is a unique opportunity to gain direct insight into DARPA’s current focus areas and ongoing research.
- Engagement with DARPA’s Key Offices
You’ll hear from leaders in the Small Business Programs Office, the Contract Management Office, and DARPA Security, as well as other key decision-makers. These experts will provide guidance on how to align your ideas and projects with DARPA’s mission, opening doors to future collaboration.
- Sessions to Help You Succeed
Get advice from DARPA insiders on crafting successful proposals, understanding DARPA’s pathways, and navigating contracting processes. Whether you're new to DARPA or a seasoned partner, our sessions will inspire new ideas and provide actionable strategies to enhance your engagement with DARPA.
Join us on November 14th to engage with DARPA’s experts, gain actionable insights, and take the next step in building the future with DARPA!
Join us for a Pig Tale on November 13th at 5:00 pm. Our speakers, Dan Lannan and Sam Hogan, are successful serial entrepreneurs at under 25 years old! Want to know how they stopped banging their heads against the wall and made it work? Come and talk to Dan and Sam.
Please join us on the RPI campus in Troy, Darrin Communications Center Room 330. Parking on 15th Street. Food and drinks will be served. Scan the QR code for more information.
Where pigs can fly, there are no boundaries. Unleash your inner innovator.
Wednesday November 13, 2024 @ 5:00 pm
Darrin Communications Center, Room 330.
51 College Ave, Troy, NY 12180
Parking on 15th Street.
Food and drinks served.
Our November Lunch and Learn topic, “Valuing Early-Stage Businesses and Intangible Assets" is tailored specifically for startup founders and entrepreneurs seeking to understand the complex world of business valuation in its formative stages. We’ll be joined by experienced professionals from KPMG, a global leader in accounting and advisory services, who will delve into the core principles and practical considerations of valuing early-stage ventures, which often lack the traditional financial history of mature companies.
Learn and understand the unique challenges and methods involved in valuing startups, including the significant role of intangible assets—such as intellectual property —that often drive a young company's worth. KPMG experts will break down key valuation frameworks, offer real-world examples, and discuss the latest industry standards and techniques to help founders communicate their value to potential investors and stakeholders confidently.
The session will cover topics such as leveraging comparable company analysis, recent transactions, discounted cash flow analysis, and incorporating qualitative factors to build a robust, credible valuation. This workshop will provide founders with an opportunity to ask questions and gain actionable insights to develop better valuations.
This workshop will provide founders with an opportunity to ask questions and gain actionable insights to better position their businesses for sustainable growth and successful capital raises.
Join us at the UAlbany Innovation Center for our First Annual (Startup) Horror Stories Show! We’ll hear from seasoned startup founders and entrepreneurs who’ve had their share of stumbles on the way to success.
Free and open to the Capital Region Startup Founder and Entrepreneurship Community.
Lunch will be served.
This collaboration between the Saratoga County Chamber & Startup Tech Valley offers a meetup for a diverse group, including first-time and experienced entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, students, startup employees, service providers, and anyone interested or curious about getting involved.
What to Expect:
Connect + Engage. Start with networking and then get introduced to startups through informal pitch sessions.
No cost to attend, however RSVP is required.
Light refreshments will be provided. Cash bar available.
5:30pm Networking | 6:00 - 7:00pm Pitch Sessions
Presenters: To be confirmed
The University at Albany's Research & Entrepreneurship (R&E) Week returns on October 21, once again uniting faculty, students, researchers and innovators from across the University to demonstrate the impact of research on the world around us.
By providing a collaborative forum for scholars from diverse disciplines, R&E Week will showcase UAlbany's research and economic potential while fostering new partnerships.
This year's R&E Week will span more than three days, kicking off with the State of Research and Innovation on October 21. The day will include a Research Resources Fair and will recognize University faculty, students and inventors. Other events include an AI Symposium with partners from across the Capital Region, an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fair, and a Research Showcase.
The 2024 BioInnovation Forum will be held on October 17th at Hudson Valley Community College. Our Master of Ceremonies will be Win Thurlow, Executive Director of LifeSciencesNY, and the day will have a special focus on workforce development.
This year’s keynote will be given by John Balchunas, Workforce Director at The National Institute for Innovation and Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL). There will be two panels, a B2B showcase featuring regional pharmaceutical and biomedical/biotech companies, and plenty of networking opportunities. Closing remarks will be given by a special guest, to be announced.
We hope to see you on October 17th! See the agenda and register today at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bioinnovation-forum-2024-tickets-1004760013247
Students can register for free using this form: https://albany.jotform.com/242326072441044. We encourage you to pass this invitation along to students.
Join us for Startup Tech Valley in collaboration with the Center for Economic Growth (CEG), Innovate 518, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). This event is a great opportunity for networking and hearing from innovative startups during informal pitch sessions.
Who should attend?
First-time entrepreneurs experienced entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, investors mentors, students, employees of startups, service providers to startups, and anyone else who wants to be involved or is curious.
Register now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-tech-valley-tickets-966302706407
Date: Wednesday, September 18
Time: 5:30 p.m. Networking | 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Pitches
Location: Brown's Revolution Hall | 425 River St, Troy, NY 12180
What if we told you pigs could fly? The Flying Pig Society was created to inspire innovation. Our mission is to foster a mindset and community of skilled innovators. If you want to learn the skills necessary to innovate solutions to problems worth solving, come fly with us!
Join us for a special workshop on September 11th at 5:00 pm. Our speaker, Eric Ledet, is a serial entrepreneur, inventor, and award-winning educator. Eric will share the secrets of design thinking and how it can change the way you see the world and how it can change your life.
Please join us at the RPI Heffner Alumni House in Troy. Easy free parking off of Peoples Avenue. Food and drinks will be served. Register HERE.
Where pigs can fly, there are no boundaries. Unleash your inner innovator.
Wednesday September 11, 2024 @ 5:00 pm
Heffner Alumni House
1301 Peoples Ave, Troy, NY 12180
Free parking off Peoples Ave.
Food and drinks served.
Whether you’re a startup seeking capital and exposure, or an investor seeking new deals, New York Venture Summit, presented by youngStartup Ventures, is one event you won’t want to miss.
This exclusive venture summit is dedicated to showcasing early-stage VCs, Corporate VCs and angel investors committed to funding venture backed, emerging and early-stage companies as well as showcasing trailblazers in the AI, Clean Tech, FinTech, Life Science, Healthcare Tech, MedTech, Climate Tech, and more sectors.
Are you looking for help starting or growing your business? Do you have a great idea, but aren’t sure how to begin? Are you looking for financing? Is selling to the government right for you? Get feedback on your ideas and gather information on programs and resources by meeting one-on-one with advisors from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
Calling all CAD users! Connect and converse with fellow product designers.
COG Member and PTC Technical Services Engineer Matt Rohr will introduce us to Onshape. This cloud-native product development platform includes 3D CAD modeling, data management, and real-time collaboration tools with the flexibility to work anywhere with any device. He'll showcase some of the work it's enabled him to do and explain why Onshape is the best CAD solution for modern designers and companies.
Matt is a Certified Onshape Professional with an enthusiastic interest in Computer-aided design, additive manufacturing, and PLM. Before joining PTC, he managed product support at nTopology, developed desktop 3D printing technology at MakerBot, and founded the SOLIDWORKS User Group of New York City. He holds a degree in Technology Management from the State University of New York College of Technology at Alfred.
Our Hardware Meetups are for engineers, designers, CEOs, investors, and anyone interested in being a part of the Capital Region’s hardware start-up ecosystem.
What to Expect
- Find street parking anywhere downtown (free after 5pm).
- Enter the vestibule at 30 3RD St.
- Ring the doorbell.
- Sign in at the front desk and create a name tag.
- Find the food!
- Introduce yourself to at least one person you don't know ("What do you make?" is a good icebreaker).
Whether your fiscal year follows the calendar year or not, it's never too soon to think about the next tax year. Join us on June 12th for our workshop, Preparing for New York State Tax Season. We'll be joined by associates from Wojeski and Co to talk about:
Tax implications for startups
Understanding Startup NY and Innovation Hotspot tax benefits and credits
Best practices for tax filing and reporting
Your tax questions
This event is hosted by UAlbany Innovation Center, with support from Innovate 518.
The program is offered for informational purposes only. Consult with your accountant on your specific tax situation.
